(The Edge filepix by Zahid Izzani)

KUALA LUMPUR (July 31): CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB) said it submitted its proposal for the deployment of Malaysia’s second 5G network to the industry regulator on Wednesday.

The proposal to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) sets out to build “the most advanced 5G network,” CelcomDigi’s chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Idham Nawawi said in a statement.

“We believe that we have submitted a compelling case to deploy Malaysia’s second 5G network, either alone or in partnership with others,” he said.

The company did not elaborate on its proposal in the statement.

With its 30-year track record in rolling out mobile infrastructure projects, CelcomDigi believes that it has an opportunity to capitalise and build on the existing solid infrastructure, financial strength and robust ecosystem that it has invested in.

So far, CelcomDigi is the only telco that publicly expressed its interest in leading the second 5G network after completing its share subscription of a 16.3% stake in Digital Nasional Bhd’s (DNB) single wholesale network (SWN) model last month.

CelcomDigi, along with three mobile network operators (MNOs) — Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS), U Mobile Sdn Bhd and YTL Power International Bhd (KL:YTLPOWR) through YTL Communications Sdn Bhd — have completed their agreements for the SWN, and now collectively hold 65.1% of DNB.

That leaves only state-owned Telekom Malaysia Bhd (KL:TM) which has yet to complete its share subscription in DNB, but once the company completes its part of the deal by Aug 21, each MNO will hold 14% of DNB, while the Minister of Finance Inc (MOF Inc) will control the remaining 30% of DNB, according to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

Teo also noted that MNOs will not be allowed to hold equity in both entities under the 5G dual wholesale network model to foster healthy competition.

Additionally, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo earlier this month said the process of selecting the MNO for the transition to the 5G dual wholesale network model is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

At noon break, shares of CelcomDigi were one sen or 0.27% higher at RM3.77, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM44.2 billion.